Tholen - The protests in the port of Calais have provisionally been put on hold until Tuesday 7 July, according to the ANWB. The schedule of ferry services between Calais and Dover has therefore returned to normal, although on both sides of the Channel there are still hundreds of waiting lorries. According to transport authorities, it could take about 48 hours for the long queues to disappear.
In France, parking facilities for lorries have been set up besides the A16, including near Offenkerque and Marck. On the English side of the Channel, lorries have been parked on a section of the M20 near Folkestone.
Traffic intending to travel to Calais this weekend for a ferry or Eurotunnel crossing should allow extra time in order to arrive at the terminal on time. In Belgium, there is the chance of delays caused by waiting freight traffic on the A18 and also on the A26 to Calais there is a chance of delays.
Provisionally no journeys
Usually, there are some 10 - 12 lorries of fresh produce each day from Van Geest International travelling to England. Rene van Geest: "At the moment, we need to be happy if a third get through." Van Geest are currently not using the crossing at Calais: "The traffic jams, the migrants, the cost of 200 euros on locks, never mind the financial loss because of delays. The cost is difficult to estimate. It's costing everyone money apart from businesses like Stena Line. As alternative transportation, they are the only ones who are profiting from the crisis."
Delayed delivery time
JNV Produce Marketing is exporting with an extended delivery time. Johan Vrijland: "At the moment, the cargo is unloading 48 hours after departure, when it is normally 12 - 16 hours." The cargos of JNV Produce Marketing are also queuing for Calais. "The quality of cooled products is difficult to maintain, but the clients are being accommodating. They actually have no alternative. We are still taking on some new orders, but are currently working hard to clear the backlog."
Worries about quality
Antony Butler of British fruit traders Jem Fruits Ltd says that the situation is manageable: "But it's really difficult. Our freight is being held back in the ports and in addition, there are problems with migrants. Delivery is reasonable, but on both import and export, there are a lot of delays." He is concerned about the quality of fresh products on arrival such as soft fruit. "We hope that the situation will improve up to Monday, but it's not clear. It is possible there will be more strikes before then."
Provisionally no journeys
Usually, there are some 10 - 12 lorries of fresh produce each day from Van Geest International travelling to England. Rene van Geest: "At the moment, we need to be happy if a third get through." Van Geest are currently not using the crossing at Calais: "The traffic jams, the migrants, the cost of 200 euros on locks, never mind the financial loss because of delays. The cost is difficult to estimate. It's costing everyone money apart from businesses like Stena Line. As alternative transportation, they are the only ones who are profiting from the crisis."
Delayed delivery time
JNV Produce Marketing is exporting with an extended delivery time. Johan Vrijland: "At the moment, the cargo is unloading 48 hours after departure, when it is normally 12 - 16 hours." The cargos of JNV Produce Marketing are also queuing for Calais. "The quality of cooled products is difficult to maintain, but the clients are being accommodating. They actually have no alternative. We are still taking on some new orders, but are currently working hard to clear the backlog."
According to Johan, the direct and indirect cost is not yet determinable: "There is no question of damaging the reputation of Dutch export. This problem is in France. At the moment, I am questioning whether the right to strike is not in contradiction to the right of free movement of people and good within the EU."
Worries about quality
Antony Butler of British fruit traders Jem Fruits Ltd says that the situation is manageable: "But it's really difficult. Our freight is being held back in the ports and in addition, there are problems with migrants. Delivery is reasonable, but on both import and export, there are a lot of delays." He is concerned about the quality of fresh products on arrival such as soft fruit. "We hope that the situation will improve up to Monday, but it's not clear. It is possible there will be more strikes before then."
Police work against media
Graham Eardley of the English transport business Eardley International says that his lorries have been standing still for 25 hours. "It is absolutely reprehensible that our lorries are basically being held hostage. At a given moment, there were 5000 lorries parked on the M20 without water, without sanitation and there were no reports in the English press. Worse still, the police prevented journalists from talking to the drivers." Graham also has nothing good to say about the strikers, as is to be expected: "They must regulate against this sort of thing happening again in the future. French politics needs to get involved. It is of vital importance for the UK that the ports are accessible. If people have a problem, they should show their dissatisfaction in another way or in another place."
Graham Eardley of the English transport business Eardley International says that his lorries have been standing still for 25 hours. "It is absolutely reprehensible that our lorries are basically being held hostage. At a given moment, there were 5000 lorries parked on the M20 without water, without sanitation and there were no reports in the English press. Worse still, the police prevented journalists from talking to the drivers." Graham also has nothing good to say about the strikers, as is to be expected: "They must regulate against this sort of thing happening again in the future. French politics needs to get involved. It is of vital importance for the UK that the ports are accessible. If people have a problem, they should show their dissatisfaction in another way or in another place."